Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Vitter).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such additional time as I might require. I guess I have to continue to respond to statements made by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), my good friend and the ranking member of my subcommittee, when he talks about prescription drugs. The bill was not written by the drug companies. If the drug companies had anything to do with the bill, I certainly did not know about it; and I played a large part in that. I am talking about a prescription drug bill for seniors now. The bill as it was written was not perfect, but it consisted of $50 billion more than the minority had placed in their budget and intended to write a bill in the previous Congress. So it is more expensive than the bill that they came up with previously. The bill would help the poor to a very large extent. It would help the very sick to a tremendous extent, and it would help an awful lot of people in between; and it is unfortunate that politics is being played with a piece of legislation which is far from perfect, which is not something that we all would like to see ultimately take place but something that would help people at this point in time. I would go on, Mr. Speaker, and I would like to read from additional views of Senators Coats, Gregg, Frist, DeWine, McConnell, and Hutchinson in 1998 during the debate. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, is that permissible for me to read?

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 546, I call up the bill (H.R. 4691) to prohibit certain abortion-related discrimination in governmental activities, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this important legislation is before us today. We introduced H.R. 4691, the Abortion Nondiscrimination Act, to provide clarity, and I want to emphasize that, to provide clarity to an existing law, I emphasize that, to an existing law, that protects health care entities from being forced to perform abortions against their consciences. The bottom line purpose of this bill is that. In 1996, the Congress passed and former President Clinton signed the current statute into law which is known as conscience protection. This law was intended to ensure that no health care entity would be discriminated against on the basis that they did not perform abortions. However, court interpretations have called into question whether these sections of law apply to hospitals that object to offering abortions. That is why we must act quickly to clarify existing law to ensure that these protections are afforded to all types of health care entities. Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify two points in debate on this bill. Some have charged that this legislation is a massive expansion of current protections; and, Mr. Speaker, that is just false. The original law was intended, whatever happened to legislative intent for crying out loud, the original law was intended to apply to the broadest definition of health care entities. Transcripts from the debates in 1996 and in extensions of remarks in 1998 show that the original authors of the conscience protection intended a broad definition, a broad definition of health care entity. The other contention is that somehow this bill would allow facilities to not provide life saving care. Again, this is false. In fact, in all cases, facilities are regulated, as we know, by laws that require the provision of life saving care and all hospitals are prepared to provide appropriate life saving care. What this bill does do is protect facilities from being mandated to offer abortions. We must ask ourselves if we want to force people to provide elective procedures that are fundamentally in opposition to their consciences. The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) said it very well during the debate on the rule. ``I would add that neither the American Medical Association, nor the American Hospital Association believe that anyone, anyone, should be forced to provide elective care against their conscience,'' and again I emphasize elective care, against their conscience. Mr. Speaker, this bill is really a very simple technical correction. It is not a massive expansion or a policy to limit access to health care for women. On the contrary, this bill ensures that all facilities will continue to be free to provide the types of services that they find appropriate, and it will not force facilities to close because of fundamental objections to elective medical procedures. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4691. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to read from the American Medical Association Code of Ethics, H-5.995, on abortion. It goes on to say, ``Neither physician, hospital, nor hospital personnel shall be required to perform any act violative of personally held moral principles. In these circumstances, good medical practice requires only that the physician or other professional withdraw from the case, so long as the withdrawal is consistent with good medical practice.'' That is the gist of this piece of legislation, intending to clarify what was intended back in 1996. I have not looked up who voted for that bill or who voted against it, but the fact of the matter is that is the bottom line of what we are trying to accomplish today. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. The only answer I will give the gentlewoman is that this is not intended to be an expansion on what is already law. We are trying to clarify as a result of court action that has taken place regarding the legislation that now exists.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. It is not intended to do that, nor does the bill say that. Announcement By The Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The gentleman easily forgets that we passed a prescription drug bill last June, and it is the other body which has sat on it. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), a member of the committee.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), who is the author of this legislation and who did not just sit back, but kept pushing and pushing every time certainly she saw me in the hallways or here in this Chamber.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I, too, thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) for his cooperation, Mr. Speaker. Yes, even though we disagree on matters of philosophy, we do have a chemistry that works well for the legislation that is up before this House.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1784.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider H.R. 1784, the Women's Health Office Act of 2002. I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank our colleague, the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), for her tireless, tireless support of this bill, which ensures that our key public health agencies continue working together, and that is greatly to be emphasized, continue working together, to address the unique health needs of women. President George H.W. Bush created the Office of Women's Health at the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the health of American women by advancing and coordinating a comprehensive women's health agenda throughout the department. The Office of Women's Health, OWH, is the government's champion and focal point for women's health issues, and works to address inequities in research, health care services and education. Furthermore, the Office of Women's Health encourages women to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness. H.R. 1784 provides statutory authority for this office. This legislation, Mr. Speaker, also authorizes four additional offices of women's health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, at the Health Resources and Services Administration, and at the Food and Drug Administration. A coordinating committee will be created within each of these offices to identify the need for programs, activities and research that focus on women's health. Congress can and should play an active role in promoting women's health research and prevention measures. This measure will create an infrastructure within HHS that will help the department better focus its energies on women's health, and I urge all Members to join me in supporting passage of this important legislation. H.R. 1784 will improve the health of all women. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1784) to establish an Office on Women's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 435) expressing the sense of the Congress that the therapeutic technique known as rebirthing is a dangerous and harmful practice and should be prohibited.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, to stay on the point of the legislation before us now, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick), the author of the legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation, and to include extraneous material.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 435, which does express the sense of the Congress that the therapeutic technique known as rebirthing is a dangerous and harmful practice that should be prohibited. Now, Mr. Speaker, a terrible story: in Colorado, a 10-year-old girl named Candace Newmaker died during a rebirthing session. Rebirthing is supposed to forge new bonds between adoptive parents and their children, and it involves wrapping the child in a sheet and covering him or her with pillows, often for more than an hour, to simulate the birthing process. During the procedure, Candace, who had been diagnosed with attachment disorder, told her therapist several times that she could not breathe. However, her therapist did not unwrap her, but told her to push harder to get out. Candace was rushed to a local hospital where she died the next day. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, Candace is not the only child to die and suffer from this practice. Four other children have died as a result of rebirthing therapy. The American Psychological Association does not recognize rebirthing as proper treatment for attachment disorders, and many States, including Colorado, have enacted legislation which makes it illegal to practice rebirthing therapy if restraints are involved or there is a risk of physical injury. Many other States have enacted or are considering legislation to prohibit this technique, as well. The Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously approved the resolution before us on September 5; and we are very, very grateful to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick) for introducing this resolution. It does encourage each State to enact a law that prohibits this potentially very deadly practice. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, exactly 1 year ago today, the lives of every American citizen were changed by the cowardly acts of terrorism committed against us on our own soil. Families were broken, loved ones were lost forever, and our sense of security was shaken. Yet even in the dark hours of September 11, 2001, hope remained. For within the hearts of Americans, we share a common bond as citizens of the greatest Nation on earth. This bond prompts us to courage, to service, and to patriotism. This bond inspired Americans on the day of the attacks to rush to the aid of their fellow Americans without thought of possible consequences to themselves. This bond provides hope that our Nation will heal from our grief and conquer those who would threaten our liberty and our way of life. While we choose to honor the sacrifices and tragedy of September 11 with solemnity today, we also celebrate who we are as a Nation. We celebrate our Republic, we celebrate freedom, we celebrate service, sacrifice and love for one another. We celebrate the heroic acts of ordinary citizens and to commemorate the tragic events of September 11. From the soldier to the firefighter and policeman, to ordinary folks going about their daily lives, we salute you. Your sacrifices will not be in vain. A grateful Nation lives and hopes because of your love for this great country. I close today with Professor Al G. Wright's beautiful ode to our Nation, which celebrates our country with these words: ``I am an American. That is the way most of us put it, just matter-of-factly. They are plain words, those four. You could write them on your thumbnail, or you could sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember, too, that they are more than words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them, speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American.''

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Father John Glaros, a valued member of the community in Florida's ninth district, who passed away June 22, 2002. Father Glaros had a lifelong history of service to his community and country by fulfilling religious and government roles alike. Father Glaros was born in 1920 in Plant City, Florida, although he was raised and educated in Greece for the first eighteen years of his life. He returned to America to enlist in the U.S. Army where he was trained in special operations and served as a member of the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Plant city where he owned and operated the Dixie Restaurant. In the late 1950's, he became a Plant City commissioner and was subsequently elected Plant City mayor. Dedicated to remain active in his community, Father Glaros sat on the Hillsborough County Commission from 1967 to 1971. He began his commitment to the Greek Orthodox Church in 1976 when he was ordained as a priest. For twenty-one years he assisted churches in the Winter Haven, Naples, and Port Charlotte communities on an as- needed basis until his retirement. He will be remembered for his devotion and the tireless effort he contributed to these communities. Father Glaros was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Cribbs Glaros. He leaves two sons, Steve and Jim of Jacksonville and Plant City, respectively; one daughter, Linda Konstantinidis of Clearwater, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to the life of Father John Glaros and thank him for the contributions he made. I give my condolences to his family. Father Glaros will be sadly missed throughout our community but will be fondly remembered.